Now that the business of that unbeaten regular season is out of the way, the Bishop Montgomery boys basketball team can redirect its focus to its original goals.

The Del Rey League title is already in its grasp. Now the Knights will concentrate on fulfilling its CIF and possible state goals.

Bishop Montgomery earned the No. 1 seed in the Division IV-AA playoffs Sunday as the CIF-Southern Section announced its boys basketball pairings.

And of the 18 South Bay playoff qualifers in the Southern Section, all eyes will be on Bishop Montgomery as it proceeds in this historical run.

"We're eager and excited," Bishop Montgomery point guard Justin Bibbins said Sunday. "We know we're that much more closer to our goal. Each game is more important than the last because we know one loss and you're done."

A loss would be a cruel end to what has been a spectacular season for Bishop Montgomery.

It began with coach Doug Mitchell's 500th career win in the season opener against Manual Arts. And en route to a 26-0 record, Bishop Montgomery has climbed to a No.2 state ranking and No.10 national ranking.

And there have been impressive victories. There was a 70-63 win over Westchester, three wins over Del Rey League rival Serra, a resounding 75-39 victory over the division's No. 2 seed Price, a 60-58 win over Redondo and a 74-63 win over St. John Bosco.

The secret recipe has been not focusing on going unbeaten.

"We weren't really looking toward that," Bibbins said. "The coaches did a good job keeping us focused. We knew our goals. We knew what we wanted to do."

Bibbins said Bishop Montgomery being unable to advance past the quarterfinals for the past two seasons is a definite motivating factor.

"We know this team can get it done. We just want to go out and do it, especially for the seniors," Bibbins said.

Bishop Montgomery hosts Whittier Christian in Wednesday's first round. It could face Paraclete in the second round.

In addition to Bishop Montgomery and Serra, the South Bay has several potential contenders: Leuzinger earned the No. 1 seed in Division III-AA, Rolling Hills Prep earned the No. 1 seed in Division V-A and Redondo earned the No. 2 seed in Division II-A.

Leuzinger hosts San Juan Hills in Wednesday's first round, and coach Ali Parvaz said he hopes his team shake off two dismal losses to end Bay League play.

"We stumbled into that one," Parvaz said with a laugh. "We definitely felt we learned from our mistakes last week. We're refocusing our guys."

A former Leuzinger coach certainly made his mark in the Bay League this year.

Reggie Morris Jr., who led Leuzinger to a 2010 CIF title, guided Redondo to an unbeaten Bay League title in his first season with the Sea Hawks.

Now Redondo owns the No. 2 seed in the Division II-A playoffs and hosts Newbury Park in Friday's first round. Redondo will have to navigate a division that includes No. 1 Westlake and No. 3 Canyon/Anaheim.

"This league title means we were able to get the kids to buy in at an early stage," Morris said Thursday.

Rolling Hills Prep, led by 6-foot-10 Jimbo Lull, opens the Division V-A playoffs as the No. 1 seed and will host Boys Republic on Wednesday. Also in Division V-A, Pacific Lutheran travels to Desert Christian Academy.

The South Bay has a major presence in II-AA. Mira Costa drew the No. 5 seed and hosts Cathedral City. Pioneer League champion Lawndale, seeded eighth, hosts Canyon of Canyon Country. Peninsula travels to Lancaster on Friday.

The South Bay could have an interesting development in Division III-AAA.

West Torrance and North Torrance could wind up facing each other in the second round. West travels to Colton on Wednesday, and North would have to get by No. 3 Hart on Wednesday.

Defending CIF finalist South Torrance is also in Division III-AAA and travels to Bonita on Wednesday.

Palos Verdes joins Leuzinger in the Division III-AA playoffs and travels to San Marcos for Wednesday's first-round game.

St. Bernard travels to St.Anthony in Division IV-A on Wednesday.

Chadwick and Lennox Academy qualified for the Division V-AA playoffs. Chadwick treks to Loma Linda Academy, and Lennox Academy travels to Yeshiva, both on Wednesday.